Oh, just thought I would remind you all that I will be leaving for China on Tuesday for 12 days. I just want to make sure I am not forgetting anything. Lets see, code red terrorist alert... Check. Super Typhoon... Check. Bird Flu... Check.
Nope, I got it all!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Did I Mention The Mosquitoes?
BOISE -- West Nile concerns now have the attention of the governor.
The latest number of human West Nile cases in Idaho has climbed to 132. Of those, 34 are from Ada County. (We live in Ada County.)
Eleven of those infected have serious neuro-invasive forms of the virus. The numbers have prompted Ada County commissioners to declare a state of emergency.
The commissioners met to hear the data this afternoon about the numbers of mosquitoes in Ada County that actually carry the virus, and the growing number of people who have contracted the virus.
The latest number of human West Nile cases in Idaho has climbed to 132. Of those, 34 are from Ada County. (We live in Ada County.)
Eleven of those infected have serious neuro-invasive forms of the virus. The numbers have prompted Ada County commissioners to declare a state of emergency.
The commissioners met to hear the data this afternoon about the numbers of mosquitoes in Ada County that actually carry the virus, and the growing number of people who have contracted the virus.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
The Flight Home
1:50 am: Board plane again, listen to the safety rules again.
2:00 am: Plane leaves Seattle.
2:15 am: Cabin dark, most people sleeping, somewhere around 20,000 feet and still climbing. Right engine (yup, the one they had been working on) suddenly revs up quickly and with great noise, plane wobbles noticeably as pilot reacts.
"What were those safety rules again?!"
2:15:10 am: Everyone is WIDE awake now and you can hear some people making panic noises and some sobbing. I don't feel death is eminent at this point but sleep is now out of the question.
2:15:20 am: Engine is now beginning to spool down. I look down the aisle and the flight attendant is sitting straight up in her jump seat with an "Oh shit" look on her face. I draw what comfort I can from her professional opinion and continue to crane my head in the window to somehow see what is causing the engine excitement.
2:15:30 am: Both engines now sound the same and the plane flys straight and level. Chatter is contagious as everyone speaks their concerns to who ever is next to them. We all look to the flight attendant, waiting for the next surprise the plane has planned for us.
2:17 am: "Good morning from the flight deck. You might have noticed an increase in the rpm's in the right engine about 3 minutes ago. This was an engine recalibration and is completely normal. I'm sure some of you might be concerned with our recent service delay, but there are no problems and we should arrive in Boise at 3:30 am. Thank you for flying Horizon."
2:18 am: Service carts are being prepped for drink service. Three loud dings and a chat on the phone later. "We are sorry but the captain has asked us to cancel beverage service due to expected turbulence on our way to Boise. Thank you for your understanding."
3:20 am: After much chop and engine revs up and down we land in Boise to deplane in the 82 degree heat. I contemplate updating the blog when I get home, but I am too tired.
2:00 am: Plane leaves Seattle.
2:15 am: Cabin dark, most people sleeping, somewhere around 20,000 feet and still climbing. Right engine (yup, the one they had been working on) suddenly revs up quickly and with great noise, plane wobbles noticeably as pilot reacts.
"What were those safety rules again?!"
2:15:10 am: Everyone is WIDE awake now and you can hear some people making panic noises and some sobbing. I don't feel death is eminent at this point but sleep is now out of the question.
2:15:20 am: Engine is now beginning to spool down. I look down the aisle and the flight attendant is sitting straight up in her jump seat with an "Oh shit" look on her face. I draw what comfort I can from her professional opinion and continue to crane my head in the window to somehow see what is causing the engine excitement.
2:15:30 am: Both engines now sound the same and the plane flys straight and level. Chatter is contagious as everyone speaks their concerns to who ever is next to them. We all look to the flight attendant, waiting for the next surprise the plane has planned for us.
2:17 am: "Good morning from the flight deck. You might have noticed an increase in the rpm's in the right engine about 3 minutes ago. This was an engine recalibration and is completely normal. I'm sure some of you might be concerned with our recent service delay, but there are no problems and we should arrive in Boise at 3:30 am. Thank you for flying Horizon."
2:18 am: Service carts are being prepped for drink service. Three loud dings and a chat on the phone later. "We are sorry but the captain has asked us to cancel beverage service due to expected turbulence on our way to Boise. Thank you for your understanding."
3:20 am: After much chop and engine revs up and down we land in Boise to deplane in the 82 degree heat. I contemplate updating the blog when I get home, but I am too tired.
Welcome To Tomorrow
I sit and watch the men working on the plane. I and many other sleepy people, sick of chocolate bars, the book we've been reading for too long, and the fact that our asses have fallen asleep, wander around the terminal looking "done.".
I notice that many "old" men are doing better than I am! They almost seem energized by the fact that things are just not going as planned. I think that plans should go "as planned" and my plan was to be well into a deep sleep by now. Now some people are not letting a simple thing like being stuck in an airport interupt their sleeping patterns. In fact as I look around I see many "attractive" people in various stages of sleep. The most beautiful people have their mouths open, so we all can enjoy the view!
Soothing music is being played to keep us calm, which seems to be working so far. From time to time however a loud ding goes off, followed by "an update" that they are still working on the airplane. This service is being discussed in whispers however as we all can obviously see that they are still working on the airplane... through the big friggen plate glass window!
I now hold in my hand a 6 dollar food voucher, which would be great if any place where you could buy food was still open. I also received a 25 dollar coupon good for any Horizon flight I may wish to suffer through in the future.
Oh, I almost forgot the children! They, not bound by the laws of civility are screaming their distaste at being kept up so late.
Well I will keep you posted as usual.
I notice that many "old" men are doing better than I am! They almost seem energized by the fact that things are just not going as planned. I think that plans should go "as planned" and my plan was to be well into a deep sleep by now. Now some people are not letting a simple thing like being stuck in an airport interupt their sleeping patterns. In fact as I look around I see many "attractive" people in various stages of sleep. The most beautiful people have their mouths open, so we all can enjoy the view!
Soothing music is being played to keep us calm, which seems to be working so far. From time to time however a loud ding goes off, followed by "an update" that they are still working on the airplane. This service is being discussed in whispers however as we all can obviously see that they are still working on the airplane... through the big friggen plate glass window!
I now hold in my hand a 6 dollar food voucher, which would be great if any place where you could buy food was still open. I also received a 25 dollar coupon good for any Horizon flight I may wish to suffer through in the future.
Oh, I almost forgot the children! They, not bound by the laws of civility are screaming their distaste at being kept up so late.
Well I will keep you posted as usual.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Travel Hell Day
All I want to do is get home. Just a simple trip from Sacramento to Boise. I started at 4:00pm and it is now 11:00. I am currently sitting with all of the engines turned off while mechanics look at the plane. The day has been riddled with "slight delays" that then turn into "rescheduling events.". I am blogging as the engines turn on and then off, rinse and repeat. When the engines are off the plane begins to heat up quickly, it is quite a treat! People are beginning to get that "attitude" that goes with being stuck on a small, hot, "The rest rooms are currently closed, please remain in your seats with your seat belts securely fastened, thank you for your understanding," plane sitting out on the tarmac.
I will update this post as things develope.
I will update this post as things develope.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
F1 vs Ferrari vs Fiat
| Three cars race against each other but the Fiat and the Ferrari 360 Modena are both given headstarts against the Formula 1. | |
Landscaping Progress
The World Of Rock Placement
Who knew?
Two tons a boulder.
Load them onto the truck.
Time to plant the boulders! This Weeks Project!
Nope, It's Not Over Yet!
Large berm, trees, water feature and grass go here.
Large berm, boulders, trees, and grass go here.Saturday, August 05, 2006
Shop Update
Sheetrock has arrived and awaits the installers.
Walls are insulated.
Shop sports a new paint job. Landscaping has begun!
On your way to the front door. The hose sticking out of the ground will hook up to a drip line to water each plant and tree.
Many trucks and men show up to begin transforming our dust bowl into a green landscaped yard.
More sod and a berm. {an earthen embankment or wall, usually erected to provide protection from the weather or act as a landscaping screen.} Since Idaho is so flat, the big thing to do is make a rounded pile of dirt, plant some rocks and bushes in it and call it a berm!
We now have sprinklers! They spent 2 days setting them up to cover the whole acre. Next comes laying the sod.
Boulders for the front yard. Next time you see a boulder, really stop and take time to enjoy it, maybe even give it a hug... One thousand dollars for six!
Giant pile of rock brought in to fill the swail in the front yard along the road. Apparently Idaho does not get much rain, but what they do it comes down hard and fast.
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